Baron Ernst Von Feuchtersleben

An Austrian poet, philosopher, and
physician; born at Vienna, 29 April, 1806; died 3 September, 1849.
After completing his course at the Theresian Academy, he took up
the study of medicine in 1825, receiving the degree of Doctor of
Medicine in 1833. In 1844 he began a series of free lectures on
psychiatry at the University of Vienna, the next year became dean
of the medical faculty, and in 1847 was made vice-director of
medico-chirurgical studies. In July, 1848, he was appointed
under-secretary of state in the ministry of public instruction,
and in this capacity he attempted to introduce some important
reforms in the system of education, but, discouraged by the
difficulties which he encountered, he resigned in December of the
following year. As a medico-philosophical writer, Feuchtersleben
attained great popularity, especially through his book "Zur
Diätetik der Seele" (Vienna, 1838), which went through
many editions (46th in 1896). Hardly less famous is his "Lehrbuch
der ârztlichen Seelenkunde" (Vienna, 1845), translated
into English by H. Evans Lloyd under the title of "Principles
of Medical Psychology" (revised and edited by B. C.
Babington, London, 1847). He also wrote an essay, "Die
Gewissheit und Würde der Heilkunst" (Vienna, 1839), a
new edition of which appeared under the title "Aerzte und
Publikum" (Vienna, 1845). As a poet Feuchtersleben is chiefly
known by the well-known song, "Es ist bestimmt in Gottes
Rat", which appeared in "Gedichte" (Stuttgart,
1836) and was set to music by Mendelssohn. His later poems are
more philosophical and critical. His essays and other prose
writings were published under the title "Beiträge zur
Litteratur-, Kunst- und Lebenstheorie" (Vienna, 1837-41). His
complete works (exclusive of his medical writings) were edited by
Friedrich Hebbel (7 vols., Vienna, 1851-53).